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FRSam
04-24-2013, 09:03 AM
I walked in to Catfish Cove this past Monday with the photography equipment, the fishing equipment and of course Woody my Golden Retriever. All and all it was a beautiful day but I did learn trying to handle the fly rod, the dog and the photo equipment was a bit of a challenge in my advancing years.

Pretty much had the South end of the lake to myself and for some unexplained reason focused more on the birds than the fish. Thought I'd share some pictures of my outing. I did learn that my full frame Canon set up with a 70-300mm 5.6 L IS lens with a 1.4x teleplus converter didn't give me nearly enough reach so it looks like a new lens may be in my near future. Any recommendations?


MY FIRST VIEW OF CATFISH...WENT A LITTLE OVERBOARD ON THE PP...
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8533/8674168676_ca3dab5128_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8674168676/)
A74A4116 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8674168676/) by StillWaterGold (http://www.flickr.com/people/80658038@N05/), on Flickr


WOODY KEEPING AN EYE ON MY FLY ROD...KINDA...
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8120/8674169280_2564b2f036_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8674169280/)
A74A4121 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8674169280/) by StillWaterGold (http://www.flickr.com/people/80658038@N05/), on Flickr


WOODY WET, MUDDY & HAPPY
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8534/8673066981_7e2f5bcbd4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8673066981/)
A74A4125 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8673066981/) by StillWaterGold (http://www.flickr.com/people/80658038@N05/), on Flickr


LOTS OF BIRDS...PELICANS
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8519/8673070335_9d8ba50632_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8673070335/)
A74A4169 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8673070335/) by StillWaterGold (http://www.flickr.com/people/80658038@N05/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8386/8674171698_1b18fbe8d4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8674171698/)
A74A4142 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8674171698/) by StillWaterGold (http://www.flickr.com/people/80658038@N05/), on Flickr


BALD EAGLE....
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8117/8674172816_8e9909b36d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8674172816/)
A74A4157 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8674172816/) by StillWaterGold (http://www.flickr.com/people/80658038@N05/), on Flickr


TURKEY VULTURE....
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8404/8674173030_882ed6a416_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8674173030/)
A74A4161 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8674173030/) by StillWaterGold (http://www.flickr.com/people/80658038@N05/), on Flickr


A COUPLE OF SIT STAYS....
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8255/8673067625_a05c8a22cc_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8673067625/)
A74A4127 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8673067625/) by StillWaterGold (http://www.flickr.com/people/80658038@N05/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8540/8673068207_854de1fc23_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8673068207/)
A74A4137 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8673068207/) by StillWaterGold (http://www.flickr.com/people/80658038@N05/), on Flickr

JUST A BEAUTIFUL DAY TO BE ON THE WATER....
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8541/8674172476_06c2cf9efc_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8674172476/)
A74A4145 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8674172476/) by StillWaterGold (http://www.flickr.com/people/80658038@N05/), on Flickr

I fished Catfish for about half an hour...didn't have any takes, didn't see any fish coming up and no bugs but it was still nice to wet a line. I was going to head out in the boat today but with 15 mile an hour winds and gusts up to 25 forecasted I think I'll wait until tomorrow. I'll post a report should I get out.

Pete
(FeatherRiverSam)
Scott V
04-24-2013, 09:15 AM
Great pics Pete. If you go out let me know how you do, I am thinking of coming up this Saturday.
Troutstalker55B
04-24-2013, 10:13 AM
Great pics Pete! I'll be up this evening for a few trips - BTW I've got some new UV materials for you to try out plus the gummy crawdads. - J.
FRSam
04-24-2013, 10:37 AM
Sounds great Jon...it's howling outside...I mean howling!!! Tomorrow should be great...forecasted calm wind becoming west to 5mph in the afternoon. I'm looking forward to seeing the new materials...if everything I've heard and read is anywhere near correct they should be a killer out on the lake.

Pete
(FeatherRiverSam)
FRSam
04-25-2013, 03:40 PM
I spent the day on the lake today and I'm sure glad I brought my camera along cause the fishing was less than spectacular. I hit all the buckets on the north end of the lake and couldn't find a fin anywhere. Water temps looked good 56 degrees but didn't see any bugs except one, yes just one, blood midge. Sonar was picking up a fish here and there but they were few and far between. I saw maybe three fish come up in different parts of the lake.

Jonny was fishing the south end of the lake with a client and he did manage to get into some fish. I'm sure he'll post a report. I would have loved to have had some targets as it was flat calm with no wind. The fish are definately scattered but when the bugs start popping it should be great. The fishing pressure today was relatively light.

Pete
(FeatherRiverSam)
Troutstalker55B
04-25-2013, 08:00 PM
The indicator rig was king today, effective flies were UV blood midge pupa and UV pheasant tails hanging 2-4 feet down. Fish are still scattered with the heaviest concentrations in the south west part of the lake. I saw dozens of blood midge emerging from 9am-3:30pm. Tip: look for Loons herding fish and seek out those areas. Glassy conditions made the trout super spooky today.
FRSam
04-26-2013, 07:24 AM
Well there you have it, looks like the south end of the lake is the place to be. Jon modestly reported to getting into a few fish with his client yesterday when over dinner last night I learned he had done very well off the indicator set up detailed above. The people I spoke with when taking out at Camp Five had either come up with the big goose egg or taken maybe one fish.

Jon did mention that they got into a pod of working fish later in the afternoon and again with the indicator rig hammered them. Maybe the full moon had something to do with the late bite.

Some pictures...Woody, my Golden, smiling ear to ear to finally be out on the water...
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8115/8683733194_fd9f9592cd_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8683733194/)
A74A4367 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8683733194/) by StillWaterGold (http://www.flickr.com/people/80658038@N05/), on Flickr

Jonny & his client working the water off Eagle Point...
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8394/8682599829_00e0feebe6_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8682599829/)
A74A4513 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8682599829/) by StillWaterGold (http://www.flickr.com/people/80658038@N05/), on Flickr

An immature Bald Eagle surprised me at Camp Five...
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8403/8683719682_685bcb7966_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8683719682/)
A74A4520 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8683719682/) by StillWaterGold (http://www.flickr.com/people/80658038@N05/), on Flickr

The Pelican's were out in force...
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8400/8683752420_8d4d0ba19a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8683752420/)
A74A4425 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8683752420/) by StillWaterGold (http://www.flickr.com/people/80658038@N05/), on Flickr


Some stranded rainbows out of Dan Blough Creek
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8120/8682608389_282682a27b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8682608389/)
A74A4535 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80658038@N05/8682608389/) by StillWaterGold (http://www.flickr.com/people/80658038@N05/), on Flickr

And Scott I don't think you'll regret making the trip...it should be pretty good if you can get over the fish. Enjoy...

Pete
(FeatherRiverSam)
Troutstalker55B
04-27-2013, 08:31 AM
Great pictures Pete, love the Pelican! I have another trip Sunday and I will update this thread afterwards.
Bill Kiene semi-retired
04-27-2013, 08:44 AM
Great FRSam......I hope heaven looks that good if we ever end up there.

Talked to Don Rotsma yesterday. He said that some of the fish were still up in the streams spawning.

It should be really good in 2 to 4 weeks.

.
Troutstalker55B
04-28-2013, 04:38 PM
I had trolling clients today which really allows me to cover a lot of water and see the big picture. Very good hatches of blood midge today and I saw the first calibaetis of the year. I also saw many rising fish in all water depths, even in the skinny water off the bank. Water temps remain about the same 50-58. Fish are now in the mid section of the lake on the west side. Don Rotsma and Bill
Forward were both out but I did not get a chance to talk with them. Conditions were warm, calm, and beautiful today. Can't wait to fish off the bank on the next trip.
Bull_Dog
04-29-2013, 12:42 AM
Fish on the surface? I need to send you a dozen Loco Ants. It is one of the best sight fishing dry flies I have ever used for Stillwaters. I need to get up there. Maybe next weekend. I can't wait until June. Our Davis Clinic/Outings are right around the corner. We might have to do three or four of them next year. You must be a really good draw. This is the by far the fastest they have ever sold out.

Let me know your schedule next weekend.

Rob
FRSam
04-29-2013, 03:35 PM
Fish on the surface? I need to send you a dozen Loco Ants. It is one of the best sight fishing dry flies I have ever used for Stillwaters. I need to get up there. Maybe next weekend. I can't wait until June. Our Davis Clinic/Outings are right around the corner. We might have to do three or four of them next year. You must be a really good draw. This is the by far the fastest they have ever sold out.

Let me know your schedule next weekend.

Rob

Rob have you got a picture of that Loco Ant? I'd sure like to see what it looks like. We just went through a pretty good hatch of carpenter ants this past week and those fish do have a pretty good memory.

Pete
FeatherRiverSam
Quinnphoto
05-02-2013, 09:47 PM
Spent five hours today on Davis. Weather was great, bugs hatching and the fish were healthier than they have been in years. No marks on bodies and looked well fed. All were in the 15 to 18 inch range.
Bull_Dog
05-04-2013, 03:19 AM
Give me your address and I will send you some.

Rob
FRSam
05-04-2013, 01:17 PM
That's a very kind offer Rob but totally unnecessary. I was just curious what your pattern looked like...we're always looking for bugs that will take those selective Lake Davis surface trout. We used to have a motor boat caddis hatch here at Davis when all the big boys were still in the lake. Nothing was more fun than watching that big dorsal fin appear when retrieving a big Stimulator across the surface. A few years back Jonny B came up with a blood midge emerger tied with foam that proved to be very effective. Once again thank you.

Pete
FeatherRiverSam
FRSam
05-12-2013, 12:08 AM
The carpenter ants are back in force up here so this would be a great time to hit the lake with those loco ants of yours. Jon told me you gave him a couple and I saw he's going to hit the lake tomorrow so I'm sure he'll give them a go if he gets into working or shallow water fish. This warm weather, 82 degrees today, should get the bugs going. I've heard reports of damsels in the water and fish keying in on them which is great news. It's been a while since we've had a substantial damsel hatch here on the lake...hopefully this will be the year. I haven't been out for a while with all the thunder & lightening we've had but I do plan to get out this next week and will try and post a report.

Pete
FeatherRiverSam
BenFishin
05-15-2013, 03:51 PM
those are some really nice shots Pete. Hope to see you up at Davis sometime
Bull_Dog
05-15-2013, 04:45 PM
Don't let him get away with the couple thing. I gave him a couple for you to Pete.

LOL I am sure he told you. I might try to go Friday. After your Carpenter Ant report I am leaning that direction. I will give a report if I go.

Rob
koffler
05-15-2013, 07:52 PM
I am heading up there tomorrow for 3 days; have fished Davis heavily since 1997. I will post pictures and a report when I return.

Jason
Troutstalker55B
05-17-2013, 06:39 PM
I've had two confirmed reports of snails found on anchors that were pulled up after sitting on the bottom in 12-15 of water. This is huge news!
Doug O
05-17-2013, 09:04 PM
We've been waiting for a long time for the snails to come back. It's been a long slow process. Great news! Thanks for letting us know. I'll be up there in a couple of days.
Doug O.
OceanSunfish
05-17-2013, 09:27 PM
This is purely speculation, but I believe that a healthy snail population in Lake Davis means a healthy trout population. Snails may very well be the dietary supplement that solves copepods and tilts the sizing to the 20 plus inch Lake Davis was known for prior to both pike eradication projects.

Very exciting discovery and news.
Troutstalker55B
05-18-2013, 06:10 AM
You're absolutely right OS, the snails are everything to Lake Davis. When they were prolific that's the only fly pattern I used in the fall.

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i424/moto55b/LakeDavis104_zps40fd086c.jpg (http://s1093.photobucket.com/user/moto55b/media/LakeDavis104_zps40fd086c.jpg.html)

When the day comes and I see them floating on the surface like buoys in the wind, is the day you'll hear me screaming with joy!
Luv2Fish
05-19-2013, 10:03 AM
I fished Davis yesterday with 4 other guys. There were blood midges hatching around 10:30a-12:00p. We did see a few fishing rising to them. It wasn't a big numbers day, but several fish were caught of 20". A good sign!
koffler
05-20-2013, 02:32 PM
Fished Davis the 16th through the 18th. Thursday it was pouring and windy, Friday there were 20+mph winds all day from sun up to sun down. Saturday was nice until around 11:30 when the wind came up. Up until that time there were tons of blood midges and a large olive/green chironomids hatching and fish rising. I counted 11 pontoons/v-boats, a kayay, and 2 prams at Jenkins Point and a total of 3 fish were caught (or reported to be caught) as of around 2pm. We tried damsals, midges, J Fair streamer patters, etc. The few fish of the weekend came on midges and adult ant patters - a tough 3 days.